12-05-2025
The most outrageous Cannes dresses of all times - as organisers ban 'naked' looks on the red carpet after a flurry of nipple flashing and exposed crotches
Temperatures in the South of France begin to soar around this time of year - and it's not just the summer season beginning to sizzle.
As A-listers turn up in droves for the annual Cannes Film Festival, many of them crank up the heat as they turn up to the revered red carpet with plunging necklines, thigh-high slits and some very see-through fabrics.
The event, which also includes a series of parties, has become a go-to for celebrities to get experimental with risque ensembles.
However, this year looks to promise less sheer tulle and more modest cover-ups a the 78th ceremony, which kicks off tomorrow, looks to be cracking down on nudity.
New rules, devised for 'the sake of decency,' will be implemented when French director Amélie Bonnin's Leave One Day opens the festivities this week.
According to organisers, the austere move is an attempt to the stifle the trend for 'naked dresses' - namely provocative outfits that reveal considerably more than they conceal - on the red carpet.
'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as any other area of the festival,' states a Cannes festival document.
'The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.'
The new policy also comes with a series of outlines on expected 'public behaviour' - as well as a generally more conservative dress code.
It's sure to be a break from tradition for the festival, which has often made headlines more for its daring outfits from Hollywood's finest - perhaps, rather than the movies it's promoting.
A series of superstars have donned some of their most iconic - and flesh baring - looks on the French red carpet over the years; with everything from flirty silhouettes and daring cutouts featured...
BELLA HADID
She's always been known for her show-stopping looks - and Cannes is no different for Bella Hadid, who has made several sizzling appearances at the event
She's always been known for her show-stopping looks - and Cannes is no different for Bella Hadid, who has made several sizzling appearances at the event.
The model, 28, was jaw dropping at the 2016 ceremony, when she turned up in a jaw-dropping scarlet gown; that left little to the imagination.
The attention-grabbing frock saw the supermodel, now 26, upstage everyone at the venue; and it went a long way to propelling her towards her now-global fame.
She put on a leggy display in a red Alexandre Vauthier silk wrap gown with a daringly high side split, that went all the way up to her waist, and a plunging neckline.
Bella added a few extra inches to her frame with a pair of black strapped heels and let her outfit do all the talking as her train billowed out behind her.
She swept her brunette tresses into a sleek up-do while her fringe fell loosely to frame her stunning features.
The bombshell, who is the younger sister of Gigi Hadid, bolstered her striking features with a high-glamour make-up palette.
Later, Bella spoke out about how she felt her 'risky' outfit paid off on the night.
The model was previously known for wearing dark clothing, but made a bold move as she opted for a much more vibrant look with her raunchy rouge gown.
She was compared to Jessica Rabbit with her striking ensemble, but the model admitted she was actually 'scared' to move away from her signature aesthetic with the career-making dress.
'I'm usually very simple with my red carpet looks - I tend to just wear black - so this was a big risk,' she told Glamour magazine just weeks after Cannes in 2016.
'I was sort of scared about it, but I've had so much nice feedback which was exciting.'
Calling the gown the 'riskiest thing' she had worn, Bella added at the time that she would probably 'tone down' her upcoming outfits.
When asked how she navigated the tricky problem of underwear in the revealing look, Bella revealed she was actually wearing an extremely high-waisted leotard.
'I didn't have a problem with it at all, it held itself together,' said the star, who looked as if she was mere millimetres away from a serious wardrobe malfunction.
'If there was a little wind that would have been a problem but there wasn't. It all worked out!'
Speaking to Vanity Fair after Cannes, Bella's stylist Elizabeth Sulcer confessed she and Bella were both over-the-moon that the dress was having a 'lasting impact'.
Bella's huge fashion risk paid off as her memorable look not only went down in Cannes red carpet history, but also helped propel her to stardom.
Though she was already recognisable - as the daughter of Yolanda and Mohamed Hadid, and a model in her own right - her Cannes look helped her achieve global fame.
Bella admitted she was still 'nervous around cameras' at the time of her 2016 Cannes appearance, but has gone on to storm a whole host of red carpets and runways.
She had only graduated Malibu High School two years earlier in 2014 and then signed to IMG models, while she was at the very start of her modelling career when she stormed Cannes.
Just days after gaining global recognition for her look, Bella became an ambassador for Dior Makeup, a huge step in her blossoming modelling career.
She starred in a web series for the luxury fashion house called Dior Makeup with Bella Hadid and went on to do a tutorial using their products for American Vogue's YouTube channel.
Weeks later, Bella starred in her first ever Givenchy advert and the new face in fashion went on to join the pack of models storming the runway for the menswear brand's fall 2016 haute couture collection in Paris.
Bella quickly went on to grab a host of opportunities across the summer, walking for Versace and Dior as 2016 certainly proved itself to be 'the year of Bella Hadid'.
After appearing on the Turkish Vogue in April 2016, Bella appeared on the cover of Vogue Paris with Taylor Hill months later in September.
Bella has also featured on Vogue China and Vogue Italia in 2017, before finally fronting the cover of its UK edition in March 2018, going on to become a magazine regular.
In January 2017, Bella walked once again in Givenchy's menswear campaign in Paris and closed the show for Alexandre Vauthier - who designed her iconic Cannes look.
Just one month later, Bella was incredible unveiled as the newest ambassador of Bulgari and went on to walk in her sister Gigi's Tommy Hilfiger collaboration show in LA.
Making a name for herself, Bella stormed New York Fashion Week as she opened shows for Prabal Gurung and Zadig & Voltaire, and walked for Alexander Wang, Brandon Maxwell, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, among others.
In June 2017, Bella went on to star alongside Zayn Malik in his Versace Versus campaign as she continued to soar to acclaim.
Over the following years, Bella made countless appearances at fashion weeks around the globe and joined A-list models strutting their stuff at an array of shows.
She quickly became a household name in the modelling world, socialising with the likes of Kendall Jenner and singers Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa.
Now, she is one of the most recognisable faces in fashion and has fronted a huge host of campaigns and featured on the front of endless magazines.
She has since made a number of memorable Cannes appearances, including a risque 2021 look that saw a statement necklace be the only cover of her cleavage; a striking Schiaparelli ensemble.
Elsewhere last year, Bella opted for a sheer Saint Laurent dress, joining in the trend of going braless on the red carpet.
Julia Fox, 35, is known for her experimental fashion looks - which has at times included some cleavage-bearing ensembles.
Among them are her bold Cannes Film Festival choices, which include a glass-like corset, for which she wore is no cover-up underneath, to an Art of Elysium 25th anniversary party at the event two years ago.
The see-through top by Cameron Hancock was teamed with a flowy white bubble skirt and dark eye make-up.
Julia became known for her nearly-nude looks - but in 2023 hit out at her critics.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, as reported by The Independent, she addressed a New York Fashion Week outfit that saw her wearing nothing but a metal bikini and leather trench coat.
'I got in trouble for that one,' she admitted. 'There were a lot of haters, being like: "This is unacceptable. This is setting such a bad example."
'But, it's like: "Why?' It's just my body."'
LEILA DEPINA
The 2023 Cannes Film Festival saw yet another jaw-dropping look from the Asteroid City red carpet as model Leila Depina wore a glitzy metal dress
The 2023 Cannes Film Festival saw yet another jaw-dropping look from the Asteroid City red carpet as model Leila Depina wore a glitzy metal dress.
It left little to the imagination, with Leila wearing nothing but a pair of underwear underneath, draping over the silhouette to appear as if it is made of chainmail.
The piece was worn with a pair of matching heels and silver jewellery.
To accentuate the look, the star's dress - which was daring yet delicate - was made all the more glamorous with a smokey eyeshadow make-up look.
Vietnamese model Ngoc Trinh, 35, was a vision at the 2019 Cannes red carpet for a screening of A Hidden Life.
Ngoc bared all in a see-through black bodice-style dress as she hit the red carpet with the slew of stars.
Not leaving anything to the imagination, the bombshell offered a look at her cleavage in the raunchy keyhole neckline.
Double thigh-splits ensured a lot of leg was on display but glistening beaded detailing was stitched into the train to preserve some of her modesty.
Among the crowded A-list pack of stars at Cannes, she stood out as one of Vietnam's most glamorous models known for her eponymous line Ngoc Trinh.
Thanks to her modelling credentials, Ngoc has achieved the title Photogenic Supermodel Vietnam.
IRINA SHAYK
Irina Shayk made sure all eyes were on her as she slipped into a racy leather co-ord for the premiere of Firebrand (Le Jeu De La Reine) at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in 2023.
The supermodel, 39, showcased her very toned washboard abs as she donned a revealing leather bandage strapped top.
She completed the look with a matched sweeping, low-rise midi skirt with a mermaid shape that perfectly hugged her figure - flaunting her impressively sculpted physique.
The monochrome look featured red stains on the fabric's steams - stunning as the edgy sensation of the event.
The runaway veteran let her look speak for itself - as she appeared to play it safe with a very subtle make up and no jewellery, but made a statement with a bold necklace choice.
And just a day later, Irina upped the ante as she wore next to nothing while strolling through the Hotel Martinez for the event.
The star sported a wireless triangle-style Gucci bra and matching thong, while a sheer layer of black tulle was draped over the top.
She teamed it with a black pair of stilettos worn with semi-sheer over-the-knee stockings and coordinating opera gloves.
Completing her bold look, Irina slipped on a black choker harness, which was embellished with large clear gems, and shielded her eyes with black shades.
NATASHA POLY
Last year's festival saw supermodel Natasha Poly among the stars who were present at the Emilia Perez premiere.
The 39-year-old made sure she commanded attention as she attended the event in a barely-there black dress.
The very racy number had a one shouldered strap and panel detailing that covered her modesty.
Her toned legs were put on display as she teetered the carpet in black pointed sling backs.
As she turned around to give photographers a glimpse of the back of her ensemble, her pert derriere was on full display, as it was only covered by a very sheer layer of the dress material.
Making sure she continued with her bold look throughout, Natasha opted for a dark eye and wet look hair that was scraped back into a low ponytail.
CHANTEL JEFFRIES
She left little to the imagination in a silver floor-length gown, which drew attention to her ample bust - with the dress clinched around her enviable waist as the semi-sheer material clung to her shapely pins
In 2018, DJ and model Chantel Jeffries, 32, sizzled on the red carpet of Cannes Film Festival.
She left little to the imagination in a silver floor-length gown, which drew attention to her cleavage - with the dress clinched around her enviable waist as the semi-sheer material clung to her shapely pins.
The model, who has previously been linked to Justin Bieber, paired her stunning gown with strappy silver heels, which inched out of her flowing ensemble.
The raven-haired beauty wore her tresses in a centre parting, with wisps of hair framing her striking features during the opening night of the 11-day event.
MEREDITH MICKELSON
The model, 25, posed in a very risqué dress inspired by the underwear as outerwear trend, with a beige bustier-style bodysuit as the base
Meredith Mickelson put on one of Cannes' leggiest displays in 2019 at the Rambo: Last Blood premiere.
The model, 25, posed in a very risqué dress inspired by the underwear as outerwear trend, with a beige bustier-style bodysuit as the base.
Over the top she wore a unique sheer overlay with an asymmetrical neckline that was made from a transparent black material resembling latex.
The racy material cascaded from her shoulder and wrapped around her body to create a floor length dress.
Meredith twirled and flung out the skirt to showcase her long legs underneath and flash her nude underwear.
Kendall Jenner, 29, has made numerous appearance at Cannes Film Festival and hasn't been afraid to push the boat out with daring looks.
When she returned in 2018, the model commanded attention at the Chopard Party in a barely-there Alexandre Vauthier minidress.
The black and gold number was covered in crystals and made of a draped sheer fabric, allowing a daring glimpse at her cleavage and underwear.
The short hem also showcased the reality star's incredibly long legs, and Kendall oozed confidence as she posed for the cameras.
French actress Melanie Thierry wore one of the most see-through looks at the 2021 festival as she attended the Tralala premiere in a sheer sparkling Celine gown
Melanie Thierry, 43, also chose to wear a completely transparent outfit as she attended the Tralala premiere at the 2021 festival.
The French actress was serving as the President of the Camera d'or Jury and took full advantage of the spotlight to command attention on the red carpet.
She wore a sparkling white cowlneck gown, designed by Celine, which showed off her slender figure underneath.
Both her bare chest and nude underwear were on full display and Melanie elevated the look with slicked back hair and bright blue eyeshadow.
HEIDI KLUM
Heidi Klum showed off her cleavage in a risque and colourful gown at the screening of French film La Passion De Dodin Bouffant during the 2023 festival.
The supermodel, 51, stunned in the bold yellow dress, which featured a cut out detail along the chest.
The garment also featured a thigh-high leg split and a flowing cape which Heidi showed off as she walked the red carpet.
EVA HERZIGOVA
Eva Herzigová, 52, stunned onlookers in 2006 as she hit the red carpet at the premiere of The Da Vinci Code.
The Czech supermodel donned an eye-catching orange silk gown by Anna Molinari with sheer panels on the side.
And taking the daring look even further were double leg slits that stretched up to the top of her thighs, to show off her legs as she strutted her stuff.
ANGELINA JOLIE
Long before her right leg went viral at the Oscars, Angelia Jolie, 49, flashed her now-infamous lithe limb at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.
The actress sparked media fanfare, a slew of memes and even a dedicated Twitter account after appearing at the 2012 Academy Awards in a black gown with her leg on full display from every angle.
And at the premiere for then-husband Brad Pitt's Inglourious Basterds at Cannes, Angelina put her best leg forward again in a backless rose Versace gown.
The ensemble boasted another daring thigh slit, that went so high it exposed almost the entirety of her long limbs as she graced the red carpet.
LIZ HURLEY
In 1997, Liz Hurley, 59, took to the Cannes Film Festival with her then-beau Hugh Grant.
And championing the sheer 'naked dress' trend before it was even a thing, the star stepped out in a strapless leopard-print frock that hugged her silhouette perfectly.
It was years after years after cementing herself as a sultry style icon with the infamous Versace safety button dress at a 1994 premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral, which the model recently spoke of.
Discuss her rise to fame in a Disney+ Vogue documentary last year, Liz shared how she came to wear such a risque dress for the evening - and how she dealt with the huge reaction.
'I must have been photographed 800,000 billion times that night. The next day we were on the front page of every newspaper, we were like "What the hell is this?",' she revealed.
'I remember I was just looking at it thinking "What' then going "Well it was actually a pretty daring dress wasn't it?".'
On how she came to wear such a huge designer so early in her career, Liz explained: 'I knew I had to have a dress and somebody said "I know someone who's got a PR firm and they might be able to help you" so on the day of we rang and said "Do you have anything" and they said "We've got one dress".
'And I was like "Well alright I'd love to borrow it, if I can get into it." So I went on the tube to get the dress, which was handed to me in a little white plastic bag.'
The actress and model took the Tube to pick up her infamous black Versace number held together with large gold safety pieces.
She said: 'I'd never heard the name Versace before and it looked pretty precarious.
'But I remember touching my toes and stretching up in it, and nothing moved, so I galloped down the stairs and that was that.'
MADONNA
Never one to turn down an opportunity to make a bold and daring statement, Madonna, 66, ensured all eyes were on her for the premiere of her film at the 1991 festival.
Arriving on the red carpet for her documentary, In Bed With Madonna, the singer draped herself in a long pink kimono.
She then dropped the robe to reveal her now most recognisable look, a white cone-shaped bra, designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Having only made its first appearance the year before on her Blond Ambition Tour, the famous cone bra certainly made an impression at Cannes.
Madonna teamed it with a matching pair of high-waisted satin shorts to showcase her toned legs, as well as dangling gold earrings and a classic red lip.
LA CICCIOLINA
Ilona Staller, aka Cicciolina has never shied from controversy and at the 41st annual Cannes Festival in 1988, she once again caused quite a stir in a sheer dress with very revealing cutouts
A porn star, politician, and muse to ex-husband art legend, Jeff Koons, Ilona Staller, aka Cicciolina, 73, has never shied from controversy.
And at the 41st annual Cannes Festival in 1988, she once again caused quite a stir among onlookers.
She opted for a white transparent dress with very revealing cutouts across her chest and down her sides.
She added lacy stockings and matching evening gloves to complete the look and went one step further by carrying a stuffed Popple toy.
VICTORIA ABRIL
At the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, Victoria Abril caused quite a stir as she revealed a cheeky twist to her blazer outfit
At the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, Victoria Abril, 65, caused quite a stir as she revealed a cheeky twist to her blazer outfit.
The Spanish actress arrived in a black blazer, over a collared shirt and red tie, while sporting a sparkly fedora.
However, she when turned around she showed her look was very much 'business in the front, party in the back'.
Victoria stunned onlookers and the paparazzi as she showed her blazer was slit open at the back to reveal her thong underwear.
